Typewriting machine



pril y22. y19-24.

E. G. LATTAl WPI-:WRITING MACHINE Original Filed July 18, 1918 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l l i l l l l l April 22 1924.

E. G. LATTA TYPEWRITING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ina/6715707* M Original Filed July 18. 1918 April 22 5 1924. 1,491,709

E. G. LATTA TYPE'RITING MACHINE 'Original Filed July 1B, 1918 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Apr. 22, 1924.

traire EID/[MIT G. LATTA, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

TYPEWRETING MACE-11N E.

Original application filed July 18, 1918, Serial No. 245,468. Divided and this application iiled .Tune 10,

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, EMMIT G. LATTA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Typewriting" Machines, of wnich the following is a specitication.

This invention relates to improvements in typewriting machines, and more particuiarlv to a universal bar mechanism, or actuating mechanism for the carriage escapement and ribbon vibrator of portable typewriting machines of that kind having parts which are relatively movable for collapsing` or condensing the machine into a more compact form for convenience in shipping and carrying the machine from place to place. This application is a division of my application, Serial Number 2%,4-68, filed July 18, 1918. now Pat-ent No. 1,382,790, dated June es, 192i.

One object of the invention is to produce a thoroughly practical and desirable universal bar mechanism, or escapement and ribbon vibrator-actuating mechanism for typewriting machines of the kind mentioned. Other objects are to construct and arrange the universal bar mechanism and associated parts of such machines so that they do not require any attention or independent manipulation when condensing the machine and restoring it to its operative condition; and also to improve universal bar mechanisms or escapement and ribbon vibrator-actuating mechanisms for typewriting machines in the other respects hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

'Fig 1 is a partially complete, longitudinal sectional elevation of a typewriting machine embodying the invention, showing the parts in position for use.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine partly in section, showing the machine collapsed. v

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the machine on line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. i is au elevation of the actuating link for the ribbon vibrator and carriage escapement.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 6 is a detail section on line 6-6, F 3.

The frame of the ,machine which supports Serial No. 476,447.

the various operating parts or devices of the typewriter comprises two parts herein called respectively the main frame and the auxiliary frame, which latter is movable forwardly and rearwardly on the main frame for shortening the machine. The platen carriage C and associated parts, such as the carriage escapement H, ribbon spools E, and ribbon vibrator F and other parts are mounted on the main frame, while the finger keys 1i., type-bars D and their operating connections are carried by and are movable with the auxiliary frame. As shown, the main ,frame comprises two opposite side plates connected by front and rear cross bars 21 and 22 and by a carriage track bar 23 on which the carriage is adapted to travel crosswise on a ball bearing or other suitable guide or track 24, and the auxiliary frame consists of opposite side plates 25 connected by front and rear cross bars 26 and 27. The auxiliary frame is arranged to move a limited distance forwardly and rearwardly inside of the main frame or between the sidel plates thereof and is shown as provided with suitable guide tongues 28 along the outer sides of its side plates which enter and are adapte-d to slide in grooves 29 in the inner facet-fY of the side plates of the main frame.

31 represents a pair of folding legs that support the rear portion of the machine in an elevated, operative position. These legs are pivoted to the side plates ofthe main frame by shouldered pivot screws 31a and are rigidly connected to each other by a cross rod 82 which causes the two legs to swing in unison. Each leg` has an upwardly and forwardly projecting extension 34 provided with a rigid stud 85, Fig. 2, which projects inwardly into and is adapted to slide up and down in a slot in the adjacent side plate of the auxiiiary frame. lhen the legs 31 are swung forwardly from the supporting position shown in Fig. 1, the rear end of the machine is lowered from its elevated, operative position and at the same time the engagement of the studs 85 in said slots shifts or moves the auxiliary frame rearwardly in the main frame. Thus, the act of lowering the rear portion of the machine also shortens the machine lengthwise about two inches. When the legs 31 are folded the machine will rest in a recumbent position as shown in Fig. 2 with the lower edges of the main frame and the rear cross bar 27 of the auxiliary frame bearing on the table top or supporting surface for the machine.

42 represents the type bar segment or support on which the type bars l) are pivoted in the usual segmental or arcuate arrangement. The Segment is pivoted by downwardly projecting lugs 43 thereon to the rear ends of a lower pair of supporting links 44 and by outW wardly projecting lugs 45 at its upper ends to the rear ends of an upper pair of supporting links 46. The lower links 44 vare rigidly connected at their front ends to a cross rock shaft 47 suitably journalled on the side plates of the auxiliary frame vand the upper links 46 are pivoted at their front ends on the inner ends of the studs 48 which are screwed into and project inwardly from the side plates of the auxiliary frame. The segv ment is thus adapted to shift upwardly and downwardly with `the supporting links 44 and 46. 49 represents a shift lever which is rigidly secured' to the left hand end'of the rock shaft 47 and is provided at its front end with a key for shifting the type bar segment.

50 represents the type-bar head rest which may be of the usual curvet. form and made of a metal strip with a lining of felt. This rest is secured at its ends to supporting rods 5l which are rigidly connected to and project forwardly from the lugs 45 atthe ends of the segment.

6,0 vrepresents the universal bar which. is arranged above and curved yooncentrically with the type-bar segment, in position for the type-bars to strike the front edge'of the universal bar during the last portion of their movements to the platen. The universal bar is suitably supported so as to shift with the type-bar segment ano move with the auxiliary frame. Preferably, it is pivoted to legs 61 which depend from and are rigidly connected to a rock shaft 62 which is pivoted on the conical inner ends of bearing screws 63 extending through threaded holes in the upper ends of the posts 54 on the type-bar segment. rlhe bearing screws 63 can be adjusted to take up wear and are locked in adjusted positions by suitable lock nuts. The universal bar is retained in the upright position shown with its front edge parallel with the plane of the type-bar pivots and normally slightly in front of said plane, by means of a forwardly extending arm 64 rigidly secured to the center of the universal bar and having its front end arranged to slide in a guide opening in a lug or part 65 on the lower middle portion of the type bar head rest 50.

66 represents the space bar which is mounted at its central portion on a lever 67 which is fulcrumed preferably on the pivot wire 68 for the front bell crank levers 56 that support the finger keys and is pivoted at its rear end to the front end of a bell crank lever 69 by a joint which is loose Memos enough to permit a limited movement rof these levers. The lever 69 has an upright arm which engages a depending lug 70 on the forwardly projecting arm 64 of the uni versal bar so that the universal bar is moved rearwardly when the space bar is depresse l. The upper end of the upright arm of the lever 69 is twisted or made wide enough to always insure contact with the lug 70. The forwardly projecting arm of the universal bar passes between the two central type-bars and does not interfere therewith and this bar is so long that it causes very little fric tion in its guide 65. lts great length reduces the effect of any looseness caused by wear, so that the universal bar as a whole is adapted for long service, The lug 70 is of suicient length to insure actuation of the universal bar by the space bar in either case printing position of vthe type-bar segment, with which the universal bar shifts. llfhile, by this construction the universal bar is actuated by the depression of the space bar, the space bar is not moved when the universal bar is actuated by the type-bars.

7l represents an arm pivoted to the central portion of the rock shaft 62 and projecting upwardly therefrom for actuating the carriage escapement H and ribbon vibrator F. As shown, the lower end of the arm 7l is suitably pivoted ina slot in an enlarged central part of the rock shaft so that the `arm can swing forwardly relatively to the rock shaft. The lower end of the arm is slotted to receive a wire spring 7 2 which is coiled around the pivot for the arm and acts to normally hold the arm upright against the rear end of the slot in the rock shaft. The rearward movement of the arm 7l on the rock shaft is thus limited and the arm will rock forwardly with the shaft for operating the ribbon vibrator and carriage escapement whenV the shaft is rocked by the actua ion of thevuniversal bar, but the arm is adapted to fold or swing forwardly relatively to the Vrock shaft as hereinafter explained when the machine is collapsed. Y

rllhe ribbon vibrator F is suitably mounted to vibrate the ribbon to cover and uncover the j )rinting point at the front of the platen and it may be of any suitable construction adapted to properly support and guide the ribbon. The vibrator shown is pivotally supported at 74 between the projeeting front ends of two spaced brackets 75 which are suitably secured on the underside of the track bar 23. An escapement trip lever '7 6 is shown pivoted between the projecting rear ends of these brackets 75. The trip lever has a. rearwardly projecting arm connected by a rod 77 to the escapement lever and has a depending arm pivoted to the rear end of a link 7 8 which extends beneath the track bar 23 and is pivoted at its front end to the lower end of the ribbon vibrator.

ill

This link preferably consists of two parallel bars which are secured together and spaced apart by a loop or U-shaped connecting piece 79 located in front of the track bar and in front of the upper end of the upright arm 7l which engages the loop for moving the link to actuate the vibrator and escapement trip lever. The depending arm of the trip lever 7 6 is forked and straddles the two bars of the link 78. lVhen the universal bar is moved rearwardly by the impacts of the type-bars or the depression of the space bar, the upper end of the arm 71 swings forwardly and bearing against the loop 7 9 moves the link 78 and depresses the rear arm of the trip lever 7 6 to trip the escapement and at the same time swings the upper end of the ribbon vibrator back to cover the printing point. The front end of the loop 79 is deep enough to be acted on by the arm 7l in either case printing position of the segment and the loop is far enough in front of the track bar 23 to permit the arm 7l to move to upper case position without striking the track bar. By making the link 78 of spaced bars and forking the depending arm of the trip lever 76, the arm 7l is permitted to move rearwardly relatively to these parts when the machine is collapsed. At such time the upper, rear edge of the arm 7l strikes the lower front part of the track bar 23 and is swung forwardly and downwardly and when the rear end of the machine is lowered the lugs t3 of the typebar segment strike the table top and shift the segment to its upper case position, when the arm 7l will be in the position shown in Fig. 2, bearing against the underside of the track bar. Vhen restoring the machine to its operative condition the restoring spring for the arm 7l causes the arm to ride along the underside of the track bar and assume its normal, upright position in engagement with the loop 79. The described connections between the universal bar and the carriage escapement and ribbon vibrator require no attention but are moved Jfrom and restored to operative position automatically when collapsing the machine and restoring it to the operative condition, The springs other than that for the arm 7l, used for restoring the several parts to their vnormal positions are not essential to an understanding of the invention are omitted from the drawings for the sake of simplicity.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a typewriting machine, a main supporting frame, a platen carriage and a. device which is operated at each type stroke mounted on the main frame in iixed relation thereto, an a xiliary frame slidably mounted on said main frame to move relatively to the platen carriage for condensing the machine, an universal bar carried by and mevable with said auxiliary frame, and operative connections between said universal bar and said device comprising members which are mounted on the main frame and auxiliary frame respectively and are placed into and out of operative relation by the movement of said auxiliary frame to andfrom operative position.

2. In a typewriting machine, a main supporting frame, a platen carriage and a carriage escapement mounted on the main frame in fixed relation thereto, an auxiliary frame slidably mounted on said main frame to move relatively to the carriage and escapement for condensing the machine, an escapement actuating universal bar carried by and novable with said auxiliary frame, and operative connections between said universal bar and said escapement comprising members which are mounted on said main frame and auxiliary frame respectively and are placed into and out of operative relation by the movement of said auxiliary frame to and from operative position.

3. In a typewriting machine, a main supporting frame, an auxiliary frame shiftable in upright position forwardly and rearwardly thereon, a series of type-bars arranged on the auxiliary frame, an universal bar actuated by the type-bars and mounted on and movable with the auxiliary frame, a device which is operated at each type stroke mounted on said main frame, and operative connections "between said universal bar and said device comprising members which are mounted on said main frame and auxiliary frame respectively and are placed into and out of operative relation by the movement of said auxiliary frame to and from operative position.

4. In a typewriting machine, a main frame, a` platen carriage and carriage escapement mounted thereon, an auxiliary frame mounted to move forwardly and rearwardly on the main frame, a series of type bars and a universal bar actuated by thel type bars and supported on said auxiliary frame, and operative connections between the carriage escapement and universal bar which are automatically placed into and out of operative relation by the movement of the auxiliary frame to and from operative position on the main frame.

5. In a typewriting machine, a main frame, a ribbon mechanism mounted thereon, an auxiliary frame mounted to move forwardly and rearwardly on the'main frame, a series of type-bars and an universal bar actuated by the type-bars and supported on said auxiliary frame, and operative connections between tlie ribbon mechanism and universal bar which are automatically placed into and out of operative relation by the movement of the auxiliary frame to and from operative position on the main frame.

6. In a typewriting machine, a main sup- (lil porting frame, a device Which is operated at each type stroke mounted on the main trame, an auxiliary frame mounted on said main frame to move relatively to the main frame for condensing the machine, and an universal bar mechanism including an actuating arm which is mounted on said auxiliary frame and is automatically moved into and out of operative engagement With said device by the movement ot said auxiliary frame.

'7. ln a typewriting machine, a main supporting frame, a device which is operated at each type stroke mounted on the main frame, an auxiliary frame mounted on said main frame to move forwardly and rearwardly in upright position relatively to the main frame for condensing the machine, and an universal bar for actuating said device, said universal bar being mounted on and movable with the auxiliary frame and disconnected from said device, but placed in operative re lation to said device by the movement of the auxiliary frame to operative position on the main frame.

8. ln a typewvriting machine, a supporting frame comprising main and auxiliary parts 'which are relatively slidably movable forwardly and rearwardly of the machine for condensing the machine, a device which is operated at each type stroke mounted on said main frame part, an universal bar mounted on the auxiliary frame part, and operative connections between said universalr bar and said device which are placed into and out of operative relation by the relative movement of said frame parts.

9. n a typewriting machine, a supporting frame comprising main and auxiliary parts which are relatively slidably movable forwardly and rearwardly of the machine for condensing the machine, a device which is operated at each type stroke mounted 0n said main frame part, an universal har mounted on the auxiliary frame part, and operative connections between said universal bar and said device comprising disconnected members which are mounted respectively on said frame parts and are placed into and out of operative relation by the relative movement of said frame parts.

10. ln a typevvriting machine, a supporting frame comprising main and auxiliary parts which are relatively movable for condensing the machine, a device which is operated at each type stroke mounted on said main trame part, an universal bar mounted on the auxiliary frame part, and operative connections betvveen said universal bar and said device including a folding member which is moved out of operative relation to said device by the relative movement of said frame parts to condense the machine.

ll. ln a typevriting machine, the combination of type-bars, an universal bar which supported substantially in the plane of the type-bar pivots and is actuated at the type strokes, means .For movably supporting` the universal bar, an arm extending tor-Y vrardly'from the universal bar, and type bar head rest having` means cooperating with said arm for retaining' the universal bar in operative position. i'

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination ot segmentally arranged type-bars, a i'novably mounted universal barlactuated by the type-bars, arm extending' i'orivardly 'from the universal lair between the type-bars, and means cooperating 'with said arm for retaining the universal bar in operative position.

lf3. ln a typevvritinp,` machine, the combination oiz t vpe-bars, an universal bnr which is actuated at-the type strokes, means for movably supporting the universal bar, a 'il head rest for the type bars, and an arm extending forwardly from the universal bar and cooperatintvwith said head rest :tor retaining the universal bar in operative position.

1.4. ln a typewriting machine, the combination ol type-bars, an universal bar which is actuated at the type strokes, means for movably supporting the universal har, an arm extending forwardly from the univere sal'bar, and a space-key-actuated member acting on said arm for operating' the universal bar. u

ln a typewriting machine, the combination or' type-bars, an universal bar which is actuated at the type strokes, means for lnovably supporting the universal bar, an arm extending` forwardly from the universal bar, and a space-key-actuated member disconnected from but engaging said arm 'tor operating` the universal bar.

1,6. l'n a typewritingl machine, the combination ot' a frame comprising main and auxilliarv parts which are relatively movable tor condensing the machine, a device which is operated at each type stroke mounted on said main frame part, a key-operated actuating arm therefor mounted on the auxiliary trame part, said arm being engaged by `a part of the machine 1and moved out of normal operative position when said relative movement of said trame parts takes place, and a spring for restoring said arm to normal operative position.

17. ln a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame confiprising` main and auxiliary parts which are relatively movable for condensing the machine, a device which is operated at each type stroke mounted on said main frame part, an universal bar actuating mechanism therefor mounted on the other frame part and having a i'oldable arm, said arm being folded out of operative position by engagement with a part of the machine When said relative movement of said frame parts takes place, and :L spring 'for restoringsaid arm to operative position.

18. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a frame comprising main and auX- iliziry parts which are relatively movable for condensing;` the machine, a device which is operated at each type stroke mounted on said main frame' part, type-bars and a supporting segment therefor mounted on the auxiliary frame part, said segment being shiftable to different case printingy positions, an universal bar and an arm actuated theieby shiftable with said segment, said arm being, mov- EMMIT G. LATTA. litnesses LAURA B. LA'i'rA,

G. W. GEHM. 

